You floss your teeth and spend a minute scrubbing your pearly whites with your favorite cinnamon-flavored toothpaste. Your teeth feel as smooth as porcelain, your gums look pink, and your teeth are pain-free. That means you can skip going to the dentist, right?
Not quite.
Research shows that more than 20% of people in the United States skipped the dentist in 2022, primarily for cost reasons. Some individuals skip the dentist simply because they don’t notice any tooth problems or pains. However, forgoing dental visits can negatively affect your oral health and overall well-being. Let’s explore why regular dental checkups and cleanings are so important and how they can keep you healthy long-term.
1. Pinpointing Hidden Oral Problems
Why go to the dentist, and how often should you get dental check ups? Visiting the dentist every six months may help your dentist identify problems such as oral cancer, cavities, and gum disease early when treating them is simpler and less expensive. Early cavity detection may allow for a simple treatment like a filling to stop the spread of tooth decay. A cavity left untreated may require root canal therapy or need to be extracted based on the decay’s severity. Likewise, you may be able to reverse mild gum disease with proper hygiene practices, like brushing twice daily and flossing once a day. Untreated gum disease may advance to periodontitis, which might lead to diabetes, heart disease, and tooth loss.
Your dentist will examine your gums and tongue during a regular dentist checkup and cleaning to check for signs of oral cancer, such as changes in the gum’s appearance, lumps, and sores. The sooner a dentist detects oral cancer in a patient, the more successful the patient’s treatment process will likely be.
2. Promoting Dental Health
Regular dental checkups and cleanings will allow your dentist to remove plaque (the soft film that forms on your teeth after you eat) and tartar (hardened plaque) that you can’t remove on your own at home. Removing built-up debris may help you prevent gum disease and cavities. Your dentist may also apply a polish to your teeth to smooth your teeth’s surfaces, making it more challenging for sticky plaque to stick to your teeth.
3. Keeping Your Body Healthy Overall
Regular dentist checkups don’t just protect your oral health; they can positively affect your overall health. That’s because dental and general health are related. Gum disease is linked to health problems like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Visiting the dentist regularly may help you manage your gum health and these health risks, ultimately improving your quality of life in the years ahead.
4. Learning About Your Smile
Your dentist isn’t just there to clean and treat your teeth: They’re also there to help you understand how to keep your pearly whites looking and feeling great at home. Ask your dentist about the toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss they recommend for your unique dental health situation. For instance, you may benefit from a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth if sweets or cold temperatures trigger tooth pain, while a soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended if your gums are receding. Special floss is also available if you have trouble gliding regular floss between your tight teeth.
Your dentist may offer dietary choice tips to help you strengthen your teeth, too. These tips may include eating vegetables and fruits regularly, limiting sugary drinks, and chewing sugarless gum after dinner to help cleanse your teeth.
5. Enhancing Your Smile
Suppose your teeth are clean and healthy but you’re still self-conscious about your smile. Your dentist can use a regular dentist checkup and cleaning to explain all your smile-enhancing treatment options. They might recommend undergoing Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth or close gaps between them using clear aligners. Another option is teeth whitening, which can revitalize your teeth’s appearance and make you look younger and more vibrant. Your dentist may also give you ceramic veneers to change the shape and look of your smile if your teeth are broken, chipped, or stained.
Set Up a Regular Dentist Checkup With Alondra Dental Care Today
At Alondra Dental Care, we’re ready to help you take your smile to the next level. We’ll start with a dental cleaning and examination to restore your teeth’s shine and identify any issues needing addressing. If needed, we can create a treatment plan to get your teeth on the path to long-term health and beauty. We offer sedation options and invite you to bring your music and headphones to help you feel comfortable in our office. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and schedule a regular dentist checkup.
